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2011 LPGA schedule still in the works

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ORLANDO, Fla. – Players were briefed on the 2011 schedule in a meeting Tuesday at the LPGA Tour Championship, but commissioner Mike Whan doesn’t expect to release the new schedule for a couple more weeks.

“It’s not done,” Whan said.

The LPGA features 24 events that count toward official money this season. Whan expects to announce a 2011 schedule that includes at least that many events with the possibility one or two more will be added. He said he's holding release of the schedule in hopes commitments from those new events will be finalized before year’s end. He would like to release a schedule that shows growth despite a tough economy.

“We have two or three title sponsors and tournament owners who have flat out said to me `I’m still going to figure out how to make 2011 happen,’” Whan said. “To me, if it’s 2011, 2012 or 2013, I don’t care, as long as they are coming on board.”

Given the economic times, Whan said he’s pleased with all the tournament renewals this year. Of the nine LPGA tournament contracts that were due to expire in 2010, Whan said all but CVS/pharmacy renewed. The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic will take a one-year hiatus next season, but there’s a new three-year contract in place for that event beginning in 2012. The LPGA also previously announced the addition of the new LPGA Taiwan event beginning next October.

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Mell, a senior writer, is a 30-year veteran and covers the PGA and LPGA tours for Golf Channel.